Security officials stroll at President Yoon Suk Yeol's official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on Jan. 9, 2025. YonhapSEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - Investigators are gearing up for another attempt to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol over last month's botched martial law debacle.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) failed to arrest him in its first attempt after an hours-long standoff with security officials at Yoon's official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul last week, before an arrest warrant for Yoon expired.
With the extension of the warrant obtained earlier this week, the CIO is reportedly weighing its next step carefully, as another failure could draw criticism for its incompetence in handling the investigation into Yoon's case, leaving no room for further attempts.
"We are still in discussions with police about when and how to proceed with the warrant," one CIO investigator said on Thursday.
The CIO, determined to arrest Yoon, is expected to mobilize more personnel next time than during its first attempt, when about 120 police officers were deployed but had to leave Yoon's residence after encountering around 200 security officials and soldiers who resisted their entry. The CIO's available personnel are estimated to be around 400 to 500.
Possible dates being considered are likely to be weekdays, avoiding weekends when more of Yoon's die-hard supporters could gather to protect their embattled president.
Meanwhile, in an apparent move to pressure Yoon and his security officials, police later in the day revealed that they had requested the identification of some 26 individuals who obstructed the CIO's arrest attempt last Friday. "We will review the extent of their involvement and offenses before deciding whether to press charges against them," a police officer said."
None of Yoon's top security officials, who have been charged with obstruction of official duties, have responded to summons for questioning by police.
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